I started reading the Discworld series when I was in school through the 80s, and in some ways I feel like I’ve grown up with them. I enjoyed the first books mainly for the gags – The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic had my younger self laughing out loud on virtually every page. Later on the books became much richer, with better and deeper stories being told without sacrificing the humour. Pratchett’s Discworld is one of the few series that I will buy every book for as soon as it comes out, and usually drop whatever else I am reading to look through it. I am seldom disappointed.
Snuff is based around Commander Vimes (now a reluctant member of the aristocracy and enthusiastic family man) and the City Watch. I’ve really grown to enjoy the Watch “sub-series” of books and Vimes is one of my favourite Discworld characters.
I won’t spoil the plot, just to say that it revolves around Vimes’ attempts to take a holiday (admittedly not by his own choice) and the hijinks that ensue. I really enjoy Pratchett’s writing and Snuff was no exception.
Knowing about Pratchett’s illness (early onset Alzheimers), there was one minor downside to reading the book. I found myself acutely aware that the pipeline of his future work is finite, and that did create some sadness when reading. Of course I know intellectually that, barring startling advances in modern medicine, no author will write for ever. Still, for me having a much more concrete sense that there is an end date to the Discworld saga did overlay the book with a sense of melancholy.
If you are a follower of Pratchett’s work then it doesn’t really matter what I say here, you’re going to read the book. If you haven’t read any of his work, then for goodness sake don’t start at book 39! I hope you can feel waves of jealousy pulsing in your direction as I say start from the beginning and read them all!
I also reviewed this book on Goodreads. View all my reviews
